1978 Montaldo's Wedding Dress

[Lita Catherine]

I found this beautiful dress on the floor of an abandoned trailer several years ago. I know nothing about vintage clothing or different types of fabric so I can only describe what I see and include this picture. The label on the inside of the dress says "Montaldo's". There is an inner dress attached that has the same label where someone wrote "Wedding AUG 22-1978". There is also a slip that's more than a half slip, but not a full slip, that is made of some kind of lightweight fabric over netting, possibly to give the dress a fuller look. This also has the Montaldo label inside. The sleeves of the dress itself are long and lacy with zippers that begin below the elbow and end at about the wrists. The dress was very well made for someone tall and thin and I think it's simply beautiful. I don't want to give it to Goodwill, but I don't know how to store it properly. I would rather see it go to someone who would appreciate it.

 

[lkranieri]

If you are not trying to sell the gown, THIS site has some lovely alternatives.

 

[Rue_de_la_Paix]

Lita,

What you have is a beautiful example of a 1970s revival of a circa 1905 Edwardian wedding gown. Even without close up photos, one can tell it is a fine gown and well made of a lovely lace. Could you supply us with a close up of the lace and or fabrics? Montaldos is a good label too.

Lynne's suggestion about the website with alternative to selling this seems a great site, however my impression is that all of these places are looking for fairly new gowns of a few years old or less, for brides who want current fashion for their special day. None mention anything about having a need for vintage gowns. They might even throw it way if you sent it to them as it is not a current fashion. The only one that might accept a vintage gown might be the ones that use the old gowns to bury newly born/dead babies in. They cut up the dresses into pieces and remove trims for re-use on baby burial garments. No matter how they spin it, this would be a rather macabre end for such a lovely gown.

Donating it to Goodwill will likely result in them saving it for next year's Halloween costume rack. It would be a terrible end for this lovely garment.

We see way to much vintage clothing being destroyed as it is.

Personally I would hate to see this graceful gorgeous gown destroyed, even for a good cause. It really looks to be a beautiful garment and is a nice example of 1970s revival of antique clothing. It is not "cheesy" or cheap looking like so many 1970s bridal gowns we come across. I think it is worth preserving. Or sell it on Ebay or Etsy to a woman who will wear it for her wedding day and perhaps even save it for a future generation to admire.

 

[Lita Catherine]

I found this beautiful dress on the floor of an abandoned trailer several years ago. I know nothing about vintage clothing or different types of fabric so I can only describe what I see and include this picture. The label on the inside of the dress says "Montaldo's". There is an inner dress attached that has the same label where someone wrote "Wedding AUG 22-1978". There is also a slip that's more than a half slip, but not a full slip, that is made of some kind of lightweight fabric over netting, possibly to give the dress a fuller look. This also has the Montaldo label inside. The sleeves of the dress itself are long and lacy with zippers that begin below the elbow and end at about the wrists. The dress was very well made for someone tall and thin and I think it's simply beautiful. I don't want to give it to Goodwill, but I don't know how to store it properly. I would rather see it go to someone who would appreciate it. View attachment 66108 View attachment 66108

Lita,

What you have is a beautiful example of a 1970s revival of a circa 1905 Edwardian wedding gown. Even without close up photos, one can tell it is a fine gown and well made of a lovely lace. Could you supply us with a close up of the lace and or fabrics? Montaldos is a good label too.

Lynne's suggestion about the website with alternative to selling this seems a great site, however my impression is that all of these places are looking for fairly new gowns of a few years old or less, for brides who want current fashion for their special day. None mention anything about having a need for vintage gowns. They might even throw it way if you sent it to them as it is not a current fashion. The only one that might accept a vintage gown might be the ones that use the old gowns to bury newly born/dead babies in. They cut up the dresses into pieces and remove trims for re-use on baby burial garments. No matter how they spin it, this would be a rather macabre end for such a lovely gown.

Donating it to Goodwill will likely result in them saving it for next year's Halloween costume rack. It would be a terrible end for this lovely garment.

We see way to much vintage clothing being destroyed as it is.

Personally I would hate to see this graceful gorgeous gown destroyed, even for a good cause. It really looks to be a beautiful garment and is a nice example of 1970s revival of antique clothing. It is not "cheesy" or cheap looking like so many 1970s bridal gowns we come across. I think it is worth preserving. Or sell it on Ebay or Etsy to a woman who will wear it for her wedding day and perhaps even save it for a future generation to admire.

Thank you so much for your suggestions.

 

[BonniesVintageClothesLine]

Living here in Virginia, the name Montaldo's was synonymous with the very latest in styles and quality. When you shopped at Montaldo's you expected to get the best and you also knew it was not going to be inexpensive. There was always a great deal of prestige that accompanied a purchase from this shop. Here is a link to VFG's label resource that will tell you something about this store: http://vintagefashionguild.org/label-resource/montaldos/
Your dress most likely was very expensive when purchased new.

 

[pastperfect2]

Lita, I don't know where you are located, but there is probably a local vintage clothing shop somewhere nearby that would be happy to have this dress.